People and history images for Alabama Department of Archives and History

Mississippian Ceremony

Time period shown: Modern

Pictured: Mississippian-era Native Americans At Moundville, in what will become the state of Alabama, celebrate a first fruits ceremony.

About this image: About a thousand years ago, Alabama life was transformed by a new culture that spread east
from the Mississippi River Valley. Improved farming methods and new varieties of corn provided a more reliable food supply.
Ample food supported an expanding population and the development of complex religious and
political systems.

Mississippian societies dominated eastern North America for nearly six centuries. Some of their
huge ceremonial mounds can still be seen today.

Did you know?
Ritual and ceremony were central to Mississippian life. Elaborate ceremonies on the tops of
mounds or in the public plaza marked changes of seasons and special events.

Mississippian people used a wide variety of finely crafted objects in their rituals and daily life. Some decorative items were primarily symbolic, reflecting themes of warfare, nature, ancestors,
gods, and the afterlife. People wore body adornments such as pendants, necklaces, bracelets,
earrings, and elaborate tattoos.

Karen in the classroom

— As a guest speaker or lecturer

In addition to the time she spends painting, Karen finds time now and again to serve as a guest speaker, lecturer and instructor to museum groups, professional organizations, schools and universities. She has also presented master classes in art and digital painting at universities in the U.S.

Karen has delivered recent presentations for these institutions and groups:

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Southern Methodist University

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators at the College of William & Mary and at Montana State University

New Mexico Highlands University

University of Texas at Arlington

University of North Texas

Dallas Paleontological Society

Originally trained in the classical techniques of illustration and painting, Karen frequently speaks on the transition to a digital world, and on the challenges and benefits this transition poses for artists, clients and viewers. She conducts professional seminars on painting, illustration and digital image creation, and also offers specific programs tailored to the needs of professional groups or classroom instructors.

To contact Karen about a speaking engagement, just drop her a note or call her studio.